A guide to cloud storage from Amazon Drive to iCloud and Google Drive

Data storage. The sexiest of tech topics? Perhaps not but a modern must-have all the same. In theory we already have the miracle solution to our most contradictory modern desire: cloud storage enables us to have but not to hold — to keep our most treasured possessions instantly accessible without having to lug crates of books, records and photo albums everywhere we go.

In practice, however, cloud storage can be as nebulous as its name suggests. The good news is you don’t have to understand it to make the most of it. You just have to strike the right balance between cost, convenience and security. Here are the latest storage solutions.

Work with what you have

If you already have an account with Gmail, YouTube or use Google Calendar, then you already have 15GB of free Google Drive storage (about 5,000 average-quality pics). You may be unwittingly using up this allowance with large email attachments, so delete those to free up space for your more treasured digital possessions.

Amazon Prime members do even better, with unlimited data storage thrown in with its £7.99 package. So even if you only signed up to binge-watch Mr Robot you’re still eligible.

Security check: Unlike most other storage providers Amazon Drive doesn’t encrypt your files. Google Drive and Apple’s iCloud do but employ less secure 128-bit encryption

Where’s my stuff? Right where you left it. This option works with, rather than against, your laziest default preferences, meaning there’s no need to learn any new passwords, either.

Best for: Selfie addicts and snap-happy new parents who never want to be forced to choose between seven near-identical photos again.

Play the field

Most cloud storage services lure in new custom with free storage offers of varying generosity. If you’re the organised type there’s nothing to stop you signing up to all of them and spreading your usage across accounts. Adding together the basic packages of iCloud (5GB), Dropbox (2GB), Amazon (5GB), Microsoft Drive (15GB) and Flickr (1,000GB) will net you 1,027GB to do with what you will.

Security check: Encryption levels and password protection vary but at least spreading files around means you’ll be less compromised by any single data breach.

Where’s my stuff? To avoid spending ages logging in and out of various cloud accounts while hunting for files you’ll want to set up a cloud storage manager such as Unifyle or JoliCloud to do the hard work for you.

Best for: Stingy students, aspiring artists and anyone else who’s more concerned with saving money than their own precious time.

Be loyal

If you have a Gmail account and swear by the sociability of Google Plus then it makes sense to use GoogleDrive too. The same goes for Apple adherents and its iCloud or Microsoft and its OneDrive, all of which throw in free storage with other purchases. This approach really reaps rewards when you begin to spread the word about your personal storage soulmate. Recommending Dropbox to friends can net you up to 16GB.

Security check: Be rigorous when it comes to password protection and then keeping all your data eggs in one basket needn’t be risky.

Where’s my stuff? Use a cloud file migration tool such as mover.io and even the difficult bit — collecting together all your stuff in the first place — should be a breeze. Try mixing and matching, say, an Android phone with iCloud storage however, and you’ll soon run into difficulties.

Best for: Work-hard, play-hard professionals who are comfortable with long-term commitment.

Go independent

With identity theft on the rise, privacy is important even if you feel you’ve got nothing to hide. This is where the specialist storage companies excel. It’s a point of pride for the likes of Mega, Tresorit and pCloud that no one in-house can so much as peek at your files, since only you hold the encryption key.